By Janet Preethi G | Project Leader
In the early hours of July 30, 2024, Chooralmala and Mundakkai villages in the district of Wayanad in Kerala were hit by devastating landslides triggered by torrential downpour. The massive landslides so far has claimed over 230 lives. According to the district administration, over 130 people are still missing as of August 13. This is the worst natural disaster to occur in Kerala since the 2018 floods.
Chooralmala and Mundakkai, both located in Meppadi panchayat, are nearly 50 km away from the district headquarters in Kalpetta. They were known for its scenic landscapes and waterfalls. Mundakkai is just 2.3 km away from Chooralmala town by road.
A village shattered
At 2 am on that fateful night, two massive landslides wiped out an eight-kilometre stretch, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Homes are buried under loose soil and rocks, and survivors have been relocated to shelters or rented homes. Many occasionally return to their damaged properties, hoping to salvage belongings. Still, a civil defence official said chances of finding more survivors are slim, after weeks of rescue operations.
The landslides have severely damaged agriculture in the region — large areas of cardamom, coffee, pepper, tea, coconut, areca nut and banana plantations have been destroyed, resulting in significant economic losses for the region, according to a senior official in the district administration.
Through Wayanad Social Service Society we distributed 25 cycles for Landslide affected areas school children, who have discontinued going to school because of lack of transport. We met landslide affected people. One person lost 24 members in his family. One child lost her parents and brother and only she is the living person in her family. We also visited the place, it is like a dry land now. Only 2 or 3 houses are remaining partialy damaged. They are still in need of support from us. Together we will stand for them.
Thank you all for your support until now.
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